Author Archive

A new era in travel to Cuba has begun, with revised rules for US citizens in effect as of January 16, 2015. President Obama’s December 2014 announcement regarding easing decades-old restrictions on travel generated huge interest and curiosity — but also some confusion.

In reality, it’s actually been legal for US citizens to visit Cuba since 2011, when new regulations were put into place allowing licensed travel under the proper conditions. Since that announcement, the unprecedented wave of calls and bookings is reflecting a poignant indication of the great interest among Americans in travel to the once-forbidden island.

1. You’re still not allowed to spend a week lounging on the beach.

But educational travel is fine! In order to go there, you will still need to certify, by signed affidavit, that you’re traveling for one of 12 categories of authorized travel. You’ll need a full time agenda for each day you’re in Cuba focused on that reason, and you won’t find getting a tan at the beach on the list. People to people tours fit the new rules, and they will continue as usual. A tour company that’s experienced in Cuba travel, though, can help you navigate all the details and make it easy.

2. You can now bring home cigars and rum legally.

Finally, you’ll be able to bring home $100 worth of cigars and/or rum. You’ll also be able to bring home another $300 in other purchases, for a total of $400 in souvenirs. Original art, music and educational materials such as books aren’t subject to the $400 limit, so if you find that amazing original painting (and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do just that), you can buy it and bring it home legally.

3. Eventually, you’ll be able to pay with a credit card.

Now that’s a big deal. Travelers visiting Cuba have been forced to carry cash and exchange dollars for CUC’s, the Cuban currency. Once US banks have set up the infrastructure in Cuba, you’ll be able to use your credit card to pay for incidentals at the hotel or even that amazing painting you want to hang in your living room.

4. Flying to Cuba is going to get easier.

For the moment, no US airlines are flying directly from the USA to Cuba. It will take a little time for the Department of Transportation to create the procedures and guidelines that will make scheduled service possible, although United Airlines has already announced that it will begin service from Newark and Houston, direct to Havana. For now though, charters, mostly from Miami, will continue to be the way to go. While you could, even now, fly to Cuba via Canada, Jamaica or Cancun, those routes will increase the travel time as well as cost. The charter flights are, for the moment, the least expensive and most convenient way to arrange the trip.

5. Travel with a group is the best way to avoid a lot of hassle and keep the cost down.

According to the new rules, you will need a full time program of activities that comply with your signed affidavit of purpose. The best and least expensive way to adhere to these rules is to book into a group tour that has taken all the rules – and your best Cuban experience – into consideration. These groups book into the most appropriate accommodations for American travelers, and they include the experiences that are hard for travelers to arrange on their own. Considering the bureaucracy still associated with Cuba travel (new rules notwithstanding), having a full time tour manager, in addition to the guide, goes a very long way toward smoothing out all the unexpected wrinkles and make sure you have way more fun than you’ll ever believe.

While thousands of US travelers have had amazing cultural journeys to Cuba, it’s still not yet ready for prime-time mass tourism. Until there is sufficient infrastructure, and a lot less bureaucracy, it won’t be easy to handle the deluge of general tourists that experts are predicting will want to visit. For now, until more hotels are built, more guides are trained, and more restaurants are opened, established group tours operated by experienced tour operators with good local contacts and plenty of guaranteed hotel rooms will remain the best bet for travelers who want to avoid problems and enjoy the authentic Cuba right now, before it changes forever.

Thailand is truly one of the world’s most fascinating countries. Its alluring beaches, tantalizing cuisine, ancient culture, modern cities, and welcoming people make it a must-visit destination, one that all world-travelers should add back onto their bucket lists for 2015.

While Thailand faced its fair share of hardships in 2014, with the nation undergoing a significant governmental transition, 2015 will undoubtedly be the year of Thailand’s reawakening. It’s just as beautiful, tranquil, and spiritual as ever, ready to welcome a new wave of guests to its friendly shores.

But don’t just take my word for it; see for yourself why you need to add Thailand to your international bucket list.

What are you waiting for? With 2015 on the horizon, now’s the time to plan the vacation of a lifetime — one that will not only teach you about the world, but introduce you to your true self.

All of us at Friendly Planet wish you and your loved ones the best of holidays. We’re grateful for your friendship and for the opportunity to help you explore our world.

This year, we created dozens of new packages to many exciting new destinations and sent thousands of delighted travelers to exotic corners of the world. And we’ve got big changes in store for 2015: adding lots more destinations, giving you more ways to travel, and providing an even easier, more flexible booking experience. Stay tuned as these changes are unveiled!

But for now, in this season of peace, generosity and goodwill, we invite you to join us in lending a helping hand. If travel has affected your life, consider giving back through one of the excellent organizations below. Still looking for a stocking stuffer for someone special? Make a small charitable gift (as little as $10) or micro-loan in honor of someone you love, and you can instantly print or email a card showing your contribution.

Trailblazer Foundation: Through our partner in Cambodia, you can help build wells to bring clean water to poor villagers, distribute water filters and cooking stoves, build schools, protect against malaria, and much more.

Doctors Without Borders: Help the heroic health workers on the front lines of worldwide illness, including Ebola, with desperately needed supplies and support.

Kiva: Make a micro-loan to hard-working, entrepreneurial people in developing countries. 99% of loans are repaid, and you can withdraw your money or relend it.

New opportunities for Cuba travel

We are very excited and enthusiastic about the changes in Cuba policy announced today by President Obama. According to our understanding, there will be some changes forthcoming regarding diplomatic relations, commerce, flow of information and, of course, tourism. The new rules have not yet been announced, but several things are clear.

Without an end to the embargo, we will not be able to hop on a flight and spend a weekend at the beach in Cuba.

With new rules that are sure to come in the next weeks, there will be many more opportunities and less restrictions regarding how Americans are able to travel to Cuba.

Regarding the second point, we are truly excited to be able to expand our group tours to Cuba. At present, we’re selling three programs with set departures. In addition, we operate many groups during the year covering a wide spectrum of interests. Among them are photographers, architects, teachers, doctors, lawyers and jurists, family groups and many others.

We are hoping to see more relaxed rules that will permit us to offer a wider variety of programs, including participating in some of Cuba’s unique festivals and events. For example, in addition to the marathon in Cuba that brings a large number of participants to the island from many countries, including the USA, we would like to offer opportunities to participate in the music and film festivals, an annual bike race that is similar to the tour de France, and others.

What will likely change, and what will not

Our travelers prepay all their Cuba services in the USA. However, since it will soon be possible to use credit cards in Cuba, we anticipate that traveling to the island will be much easier for our passengers. At the moment, travelers need to take cash with them, to cover any purchases they want to make. In today’s world, it’s not so common to have to carry cash, and that makes many people uncomfortable. Perhaps, although this is not yet clear, it will finally be possible to bring back some of those Cuban cigars and rum, which today’s traveler can only enjoy on the island.

According to the OFAC notice published this afternoon, Dec. 17, some changes will be made to the regulations. “OFAC expects to issue its regulatory amendments in the coming weeks. None of the announced changes takes effect until the new regulations are issued.”

So, for the moment:

We still need to carry cash when we visit Cuba

We still need to participate in a licensed program, according to present rules

We still have to leave the cigars and rum in Cuba

But if the changes are as sweeping as President Obama suggested in his speech, we at Friendly Planet will be very busy adding hotel rooms and plenty of new travel programs to our menu of offerings.

See the REAL Cuba while you can

One last thought. For anyone who is anxious to see the “real” Cuba, do it now. In time, the island in a time bubble will become something else. And while it will always be a fascinating and wonderful experience to visit Cuba, banking, high speed internet and all the other changes that will take place will make Cuba another country. We expect many people will want to see it before any of those changes occur, and we’re ready to help them do it.

Now’s the time to ditch your desk jobs (at least for a week), and go experience the wonders of travel. There’s no better time than in your twenties to throw caution to the wind and experience the incredible world around you.

But what exotic destinations should you visit? Have no fear. Here’s my list of top destinations for 20-something travelers.

1. Spain

Want to party? Spain’s the place for you. Tapas + discotecas + churros and chocolate = the ultimate Spanish getaway.

Our blowout Cyber Monday Sale was a huge success, with travelers booking hundreds of once-in-a-lifetime trips to exotic destinations. Since our sale was such a big hit, we’re giving travelers that missed out on these incredible savings (or want to plan another trip) a second chance to book an unforgettable international getaway!

During our Second Chance Monday Sale, we’ll be discounting EVERY Friendly Planet Travel package up to $300, allowing travelers to choose from tours to more than 40 counties, spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and more!

The holiday season is a time of giving, so this year, we’re giving the gift of travel — at a tremendous discount! This Cyber Monday, our team at Friendly Planet Travel is discounting EVERY tour by up to $500 (plus additional savings from early booking discounts) making international travel extremely affordable for globetrotters with serious wanderlust.

While our last Cyber Monday Sale offered massive discounts to 36 world-class destinations, this year’s sale is even bigger! Travelers can now visit more than 40 countries, spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and more, at discounts between $100 and $500 per person.

We were honored to be selected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to be only one of two companies they chose to partner with in TV commercial campaign.

The goal was to increase awareness and knowledge of Thailand, and keep it top of mind for people looking for exotic vacation destinations. We think Thailand truly is an amazing place to visit, with its beautiful beaches and islands, fascinating culture, traditional architecture, and ancient ruins.

When it comes to international family travel, it’s amazing how times have changed. My parents never even thought of taking me on a trip overseas, and while I took my children on international trips when they were younger, I suspect it was only because I worked in the travel industry. Most of friends told me I was crazy to take my five and eight year olds “overseas.” But today, international family travel has almost become the norm, as more and more parents, children, and grandparents embark on multigenerational journeys together.

A recent AAA survey found that multigenerational travel is one of the hottest trends in the travel industry today, with about 36 percent of travelers planning to take a multigenerational trip in the next year alone. Families are seeking new ways to form life-long bonds and create lasting memories, and nothing does that better than sharing in the joy and excitement of international travel.

Here at Friendly Planet Travel, we’ve seen this trend firsthand, as more grandparents and parents continue to turn to us to help them book unforgettable family excursions. That’s why we’ve just unveiled our latest family-friendly travel packages that take families to some of the most exotic destinations in our world. Our tours visit seven countries — Costa Rica, Japan, Thailand, Kenya, Greece, South Africa, and China — at special, family-friendly departure times and rates, with discounts up to $950 for children under 12.

China is a dynamic nation that perfectly unites the ancient past and modern present. Travelers can visit Shanghai, China’s most modern metropolis, and stand in the shadow of the city’s 126 skyscrapers. Visitors can hop a high speed train or take a short flight to Beijing and wander among some of the world’s most famous landmarks, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, which have stood frozen in time for millennia. But your trip doesn’t end there. Expand outward to explore the romantic city of Hangzhou, the culinary hotbed of Chengdu, or the ghost city of Fengdu. The possibilities are endless.

If you’re dreaming of a dynamic getaway, one that will introduce you to an entirely new culture, China is the destination for you. Here’s just a sampling of the unforgettable experiences that await you.

What are you waiting for? Now’s the time to experience this top destination and open your mind to the wonders of our unique world.

About Peggy

Peggy Goldman is a specialty tour operator and travel expert, who owns and operates Friendly Planet Travel, a full-service company that specializes in tour packages to exotic worldwide destinations at affordable prices. More about Peggy